Kuster jumps in with 1st TV ad of cycle, focusing on tax cut for small breweries

CONCORD – While the Republicans who want to unseat her have been battling through the summer, 2nd District U.S. Rep. Ann Kuster, who has no primary challenger, has been under the radar politically, letting them have at it.

Kuster, who is sitting on a campaign warchest that had $1.75 million on hand as of June 30 – far more than Republicans Gary Lambert, Marilinda Garcia and Jim Lawrence combined — has now jumped with her first television ad of the cycle, to begin airing on Tuesday.

The ad features Keegan Rice, general manager of the Woodstock Brewery, saying that “Annie Kuster is working to cut taxes for small businesses (small breweries) like ours,” and “goes to bat for small business.” Kuster supports legislation that would cut the federal tax on small breweries.

The ad follows the same overall theme of Democrats, such as Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, this year – focusing on locally-oriented issues, while Republicans try to link them to President Obama, the Affordable Care Act and other Obama and Democratic national policies which are unpopular in the state.

Kuster said her top priority is helping small businesses and creating jobs.

But National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Matt Gorman commented, “The only person Annie Kuster ‘goes to bat for’ is President Obama. Her steadfast support of both the president and his failed healthcare law is hurting economic growth in the Granite State.”

John, why so one sided? Are you intentionally ignoring that while Annie Kuster makes empty claims about supporting legislation, Marilinda Garcia actually voted for legislation that reduced the licensing and regulatory burden on small brewers in New Hampshire and which created the nano-brewery industry here? There is a difference between talking the talk and walking the walk. Garcia walks the walk.